Tracking events and trends in Israel, the U.S., Russia and throughout the Epicenter (the Middle East & North Africa)

We are moving up release of my new thriller about the ISIS threat, THE THIRD TARGET. It will be published on Jan. 6.

(Chicago, Illinois) — Tonight at 9pm eastern, President Obama will deliver a prime time addressto the American people laying out a strategy to defeat the Radical Islamic jihadist group known as the “Islamic State” (or “ISIS” or “ISIL”) that is rampaging across the Middle East.

After dismissing ISIS as a “JV” (junior varsity) issue and not a serious concern for American security, and recently admitting that he had “no strategy”to stop ISIS, the President has done an about face. He seems to be finally coming to the conclusion — however slow and late — that ISIS does, in fact, pose a clear and present danger to America and our allies. I am praying for the President that he will say the right things tonight, and do the right things in the days ahead. I hope you will, too. This is a very serious threat to the American people and all the people of the Middle East.

Once I’ve heard his speech, I will comments on Twitter and here on the blog.

For now I want to let you know that Tyndale House Publishers and I have decided to move up the release of my next novel because it focuses entirely on ISIS and takes you inside Syria, Iraq, Israel and the White House as the jihadist threat unfolds in a terrifying way.

THE THIRD TARGET will be released on January 6, 2015 in hardcover, ebook format, and as an audiobook.

Here’s a brief description. I promise to post more details — including excerpts from the novel — in the days ahead.

“When New York Times foreign correspondent J. B. Collins hears rumors that an al-Qaeda splinter cell — ISIS — has captured a cache of chemical weapons inside Syria, he knows this is a story he must pursue at all costs. Does the commander of the jihadist faction really have the weapons? If so, who is the intended target? The U.S.? Israel? Or someone else? With tensions already high, the impending visit of the American president to the region could prove to be the spark that sets off an explosion of horrendous proportions. Knowing that terrorist forces are already trying to bring down two Arab governments in the region — Iraq and Syria — can Collins uncover the truth before it’s too late? Or will the terrorists succeed in setting their sights on the third target and achieving genocide?”

Given the danger and urgency of the moment, I hope you will pre-order the book and let your family and friends know about it. In the meantime, please pray faithfully that the U.S. and our allies will work together to stop ISIS and crush it before it’s too late. Thanks and God bless you.